MadaboutKitcars

Thinking of next projects and need something relatively large for a possible Art Deco car. There are a few pick up trucks that might do or possibly the good old Land Rover 110.

Anyone used a Landie chassis and drive train*?
How hard to drop the ride height?

*Might well swap out the engine


Also, these guys seem to mill most shapes and sizes : http://hampshireinsulations.co.uk/gallery.php

I was thinking of scanning a car, modifying the proportions on a computer and then using the milling to create the molds. Not sure how to coat the polystyrene to protect it but just a thought at the moment. It just seems easier to get things symmetrical and level on a computer than on a sloping driveway in the rain.

Anyone got views on that?

WCA - PM mas123mas on the Miglia section next door.

He has a vast collection of Land Rovers, some of which appear on his build thread.

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4731

Hope that helps, Paul.

PS
Building anything outside on a sloping drive is never a good idea.

Defender - They hold their prices ridiculously highly so you won't find a good donor for reasonable money. Yes, you can put on shorter springs and shocks, the front hockey sticks will need reworking to keep the castor angles.

A long wheelbase Rangy from the mid 90's would be an option (the old old shape, not the P38)

An easier option might be a lwb van, no 4x4 but still providing a chassis as a platform.

You could consider a Mitsi L200 V6, a few around as grey imports from the mid 2000's, that would save you effort of an engine transplant..

Thanks

Funny enough Chris suggested similar and to avoid the Land Rover

Somewhere on 'Rods'N'Sods" forum in the garage section is a project by 'Streetfighter" who's using an air bagged Range Rover chassis as a base. He's previously built a Chevy truck on a Mazda pickup chassis as his daily driver.
It could be worth looking on there, even joining up. They're a friendly lot and may have the answers to a lot of your questions.
Cheers, Bob.

I am a member already and enjoy browsing.

Never really been into Americana or traditional 'rods though it seems to be expanding in terms of what people do and what they do it to.

Have you looked at a London taxi? Lots available and not as ridiculous as you might think.

That's right

A Taxi chassis has a wheel base of 110.6 inch and it's much lower and less "dense" than the Land Rover 109" or 110" chassis.
I'm just waiting delivery of a ex-taxi rolling chassis with steering, fuel tank (which sits under the chassis just behind the back axle) and V5 all for £250

And, Yes I do have a new project in mind for the chassis, so again watch this space